Bethel MBC
Basic Baptist Doctrine
January 9, 2008

What Is Baptist Doctrine?

Our theme for this series of lessons will be Luke 1:1-4, the beginning of the gospel as recorded by Luke.  Luke was a Gentile (non-Jew) as well as a physician and later would travel with the Apostle Paul on some of his missionary journeys.  Luke addresses the gospel bearing his name and the book of Acts to a “Theophilus” which means “friend of God”.  Some theologians suggest that Theophilus was a Roman official because of the reference to “most excellent” which was also used for Felix and Festus (Acts 23:36; 24:3; 26:25).  Other scholars feel that he was perhaps a Gentile nobleman who chose the name after conversion and was instructed by Luke (Luke 1:3).  Still other students hold Theophilus to be a general term used to address all the “friends of God”.  I have always leaned towards the latter and thus, we will consider this address to be offered to us as “friends of God.”

Luke 1:1-4

“1Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,  2Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; 3It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.”

Our desire is to:

            a. Offer a declaration of those things most surely believed among us; that,

            b. We might know the certainty of the things we have been taught.

I. What is “doctrine”?

Doctrine is “anything that is held as truth, anything that is believed; anything set forth by a school, sect, or an individual.”

In short, it is TEACHING. Therefore, “Baptist Doctrine” is those things believed, practiced, and taught by Baptists.  Where do Missionary Baptists get their doctrines / teachings?

II Timothy 3:16-17

“16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

The Bible is an all-sufficient of our faith and practice as Missionary Baptists!  If it is to be found in the Scriptures, we should and MUST teach it.  If it is not to be found within the Scriptures, it should be left alone and left off.  Certainly, it should never find its way into our doctrine / teachings as Missionary Baptists.  The Church Covenant and Articles of Faith (which most of our churches have adopted in some form or fashion) are both simplified versions and / or summaries of our doctrines.

II. The Importance of Doctrine

The Apostles and others were blessed with hearing the doctrines of God taught in the first person.  The personification of the Godhead, Jesus Christ, taught by mouth and deed the truths which He represented and embodied.  Subsequent generations have been left with the inspired words of the New Testament writers.  The Scriptures teach that God the Holy Spirit “breathed” these words into the hearts of selected men who, in turn, penned them for our learning and edification.  However, most of the deeper teachings of God are “under the surface” of the obvious as God intends for us to search the Scriptures to glean and then cherish His doctrines as taught to us by the Holy Spirit.  It is important for us to understand that ultimately God teaches His divine truths today the same way He first gave them to men in the New Testament…by the Holy Spirit.

John 5:39

“39Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

Psalm 19:7

“ 7The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple”

Romans 1:16

“16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

II Timothy 3:16-17

See above

Why should we search the scriptures?

The primary function of the “great commission” given to the church by the Lord Himself is to TEACH.  Specifically, the last verses of Matthew tell us that the church is to TEACH the world of the way to heaven, the necessity of baptism following conversion, and then ALL the things that God has to teach in His Word.  The Bible is not intended for God’s children only!  It is intended and authored towards the lost of the world….and WE and the TEACHERS!!!  The world is starved for the strength of true doctrine that is upheld by the Word of God.  Our doctrines should come from God as that is where Christ said His teachings had their genesis.

John 7:16

“16Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.”

The Bible records that people were astonished at the teachings of Jesus as he taught them as one having authority (Matthew 7:28).  People are no less astonished today at true Bible preaching and teaching.

Truth is teachings is even more important when we consider that there is an adversary present in the world, who has a large audience, that is spewing lies and half-truths to the confusion and destruction of many.  Jesus warned His disciples against false prophets which would come and bring with them false doctrines.  (Matthew 16:12)

Galatians 1:6-9

“6I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

Jude 3,4

“3Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.  4For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

For excellent extra reading on false prophets and teachings:  See II Peter 2:1-22

Those that teach false doctrines (teachings which cannot be substantiated by the Word of God) should be punished.  (Matthew 5:19; 15:9, 13)

How do we know what is pure doctrine?

a. Compare scripture.  The best way to interpret scripture is with the assistance and collaboration of other scriptures, passages, etc.

b. John 7:17

“17If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”

God’s “doctrine” can and should:

                        a. Break the heart of sinners

                        b. Reprove disobedient and rebellious children of God

                        c. Awaken sleepy, slothful and careless Christians

                        d. Edify and build the church

                        e. Glorify God

The world NEEDS God’s doctrines!!

III. Doctrinal Preaching

Have you ever heard someone state something like, “I don’t like to hear a doctrinal preacher”, or “I don’t enjoy doctrinal preaching”?  I have heard such and it baffles me.  ALL preaching should be doctrinal…the doctrines of Christ.  If a sermon or lesson does not have the teaching of the Bible / Christ, it is probably not worthwhile.  Every preacher should be a doctrinal preachers and every true church should demand that its preacher and teachers pursue the teachings and truths of Jesus Christ!

John 14:6

“6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Unfortunately, not all enjoy or tolerate sound doctrine.

Isaiah 30:10

“10Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:”

II Timothy 4:3

“3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears”

As the Lord’s church, we have an enormous task to uphold God’s truth (Not our interpretation of His truth) in a world full of lies, confusion, and deception.

II Corinthians 6:16-17

“16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”